Fun Fraser's Dolphin Facts For Kids

Fraser's dolphins or Sarawak dolphins (Lagenodelphis hosei) are marine mammals with a widespread population distribution in the range from the eastern Pacific Ocean to some regions of the Atlantic Ocean and Sri Lanka.

These animals are similar in physical appearance to several cetaceans like tropical toothed whales and even form groups with them. The behavior of the Lagenodelphis hosei shows their group nature as they form groups of 10-1000.

Fraser's dolphins (Lagenodelphis hosei) form mixed groups with other cetaceans such as tropical toothed whales, false killer whales, melon-headed whales, and short-finned pilot whales.

This marine animal has a large body with small flippers and a thin beak, and the dorsal fin does not show very violent behavior.

Like other cetaceans, the Fraser's dolphin role in the ecosystem is through its fishing behavior because this behavior is important as it stops the excessive growth of several marine animals and fish species.

Their conservation status and distribution of the Lagenodelphis hosei has given this dolphin species a status of Least Concern according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

Fishing, hunting, a deficiency in their diet, and lack of habitats for reproduction are a growing threat to their population distribution.

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Fraser's Dolphin Interesting Facts

What type of animal is the Fraser's dolphin?

Fraser's dolphins are a marine species of dolphins that are found deep in the Pacific Ocean.

What class of animal does the Fraser's dolphin belong to?

Fraser's dolphins are a type of marine mammals that belong to the cetacean family.

How many Fraser's dolphins are there in the world?

The exact number of these marine mammals around the globe is unknown. However, according to some reports, the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean is home to at least 100,000-289,000 Fraser's dolphins and they require no conservation.

Where does the Fraser's dolphin live?

Fraser's dolphins may be found all over the world in mild, temperate, subtropical, and tropical seas. The anecdotal shreds of evidence suggest that this dolphin may usually be found between 30°S and 20°N. They love deep waters as deep as up to 3300 ft (1005 m) and are frequently seen near surface areas.

What is the Fraser's dolphin habitat?

Fraser's dolphins (Lagenodelphis hosei) are found primarily in the eastern Pacific ocean. To a lesser extent, the distribution range is also observed in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka and the Atlantic Ocean.

Sightings have also been observed in the regions near several islands such as Hawaii, Sri Lanka, South Africa, south Australia, and the Philippines. Islands near the Philippines are particularly known for dolphin sightings. Tourists and enthusiasts from around the world visit the Philippines to watch this marine species.

Who do Fraser's dolphins live with?

Fraser's dolphins live in big, close-knit groups of 10-100 dolphins. However, according to some reports, they have been seen in groups of up to 1,000 dolphins. Reports even suggest that they also form groups with a few related similar species of whales and dolphins.

How long does the Fraser's dolphin live?

Fraser's dolphins have an average lifespan of 18 years. Females reach sexual maturity between the ages of five and eight, while the male reaches sexual maturity between the ages of 7-10.

How do they reproduce?

This species appears to breed all year with a likely surge during the summer months. Like in other whale and dolphin species, polygamy seems to be the type of reproduction in these mammals.

The female has a gestation period of 10-12.5 months and gives birth to a single offspring once every two years, usually in the spring or fall seasons. The average number of offspring produced by the female after a single gestation period ranges between one to two.

Every two to three years, female dolphins give birth to a single baby. Once the offspring are born, the mother will breastfeed and care for it until it is old enough to hunt and survive on its own.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of this species is considered to be of Least Concern. There are only a few specific locations where Fraser's dolphins have an Endangered status.

Some threats to this species include the Fraser's dolphin mortality rate due to excessive fishing. Poachers want to sell their meat to meat markets, supermarkets, and restaurants. They also use their meat as bait for many other marine organisms and this level of hunting poses a threat to these dolphins.

Fraser's Dolphin Fun Facts

What do Fraser's dolphins look like?

The body of the Fraser's dolphin is strong and fusiform. Fraser's dolphins have a short, conspicuous, and insubstantial beak. They have a large body but small flippers and dorsal fin.

The caudal fin, pectoral flippers, and flukes are pyramidal and pointed. The color of its dorsal body is gray-blue to gray-brown on the top side.

Exactly from the beak above the eye to the anus, a cream-colored dark stripe runs down the sides of its entire body. Underneath this line, there is a dark stripe. The stomach and neck are normally white with a pinkish hue.

How cute are they?

Dolphins have a reputation for being kind and adorable creatures. This species is unquestionably considered cute.

How do they communicate?

The only understood methods of Fraser's dolphin communication are chemical and tactile channels. The signature dolphin whistle is also a method that these dolphins use to communicate amongst each other.

How big is the Fraser's dolphin?

The average Fraser's dolphin length has a range between 3.2-9 ft (1-2.75 m). The smaller length is the size of a juvenile, while the larger end is the size of an adult. It is around 11 times smaller than the world's largest animal, the blue whale.

How fast can the Fraser's dolphin swim?

Fraser's dolphins, with their aerodynamic structure, can swim at a top speed of nearly 20 mph (32.18 kph).

How much does the Fraser's dolphin weigh?

Fraser's dolphins weigh around 361 lb (164000 g) on average.

What are the male and female names of the species?

Like many other mammals, male dolphins are referred to as bulls while female dolphins can be referred to as cows.

What would you call a baby Fraser's dolphin?

Baby Fraser's dolphins are referred to as calves.

What do they eat?

Several fish species comprise the major portion of the Fraser's dolphin diet. Other than deep-sea fishes, this dolphin also feeds on several crustaceans and cephalopods.

Are they dangerous?

Fraser's dolphins are large-sized carnivore mammals. No matter how friendly and cute these might appear, they can harm you to a very great extent. Several cases have been reported where dolphins have injured or harmed humans badly, at times even causing death.

Would they make a good pet?

Lagenodelphis hosei or Fraser's dolphins are large-sized marine mammals. Petting them is nearly impossible because not only is it too complicated and not feasible but also quite dangerous.

Did you know...

Fraser's dolphins, compared to other large mammals, have a more aggressive swimming technique, making loud noise across the water.

Fraser's dolphin pronunciation combines the name Fraser broken down as 'fray-ser' and dolphin as 'dawl-fins'.

What zone of the ocean does the Fraser's dolphin live in?

30 degrees south to 20 degrees north is where the major population of Fraser's dolphins is found. They live in the aphotic zone of the ocean where other aquatic creatures such as octopuses, sponges and whales can be found.

Why is it called the Fraser's dolphin?

The skull was not investigated until Francis Fraser discovered it in 1956. He decided after a careful analysis that it was comparable to species in the genera Lagenorhynchus and Delphinus but not identical to either.

By simply combining these two names, a new genus was born. Hose's name is, therefore, a part of the scientific name in honor of him being the first one to find the skull and name this dolphin.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals from our spinner dolphin facts and striped dolphin pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable mermaid and dolphin coloring pages.